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Expert Q&A

	By Alesia Hanson, RPh Registered Pharmacist

How can certain medications affect the bladder and contribute to urine leaks?

There aren't any medications that directly cause incontinence, but medications can affect the amount of urine produced, cause excess sedation, cause urine to be retained in the bladder after urinating or relax the urethra. All of these things can contribute to incontinence.

• Diuretics commonly used for water retention and blood pressure increase the amount of urine produced and can cause urgency.
• Antihistamines (this includes over the counter sleep medications and Tylenol PM), especially when taken by older men with prostate problems, can cause urinary retention, overflow incontinence, sedation and delirium.
• Tricyclic antidepressants and antipsychotics can cause urinary retention and sedation as well.
• Benzodiazepines (such as Valium or Xanax) can cause sedation, delirium and muscle relaxation.
• Narcotic pain relievers can cause urinary retention, delirium and sedation.
• Alpha-blockers (used for blood pressure or prostate problems) can cause relaxation of the urethra. This can be a problem for women who experience stress incontinence.
• Alpha-agonists (over the counter decongestants) can cause urinary retention in men.
• Calcium Channel Blockers (usually used for blood pressure - sometimes migraine headaches) can cause urinary retention.
• Alcohol can increase the amount of urine produced, causes frequency, urgency and sedation.

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